“How many humans have you drained dry the way Gary had?”
“No one, sir.”
“Lie.” Nicolono took a swipe with his long nails across Hacen’s stomach. He cried out and blood immediately started to saturate hisshirt. “How many?”
“Hundreds.” To Hacen’s credit, he stood there, staring straight ahead.
Nicolono shook his head in disgust. “Do you know the council will be on my ass once they learn of this? I’ve been hiding it from them for too long. I can’t keep covering for you and your stupid friends.”
He rose from the desk and walked around Hacen. Nicolono could see him trying to struggle to break free. He lifted the metal spear off the wall and stood for a moment, taking in the weapon, feeling the weight of it and the cool metal against his skin.
When he turned back, he found Jules’ eyes riveted on him. His whole body trembled. “I’m not going to kill him, Jules. I’m going to do something far worse.”
Jules slowly turned, facing away from Nicolono.
“Yet another of your sins, Hacen. Making my mate turn his back on me.” Nicolono put the spear back on the wall. “Bring Thomas to me and stay in the room while I talk to him. You’ll want to know the kind of curse the ancients will bestow onto you. Nicolono smiled, their curses are always worse than death.”
Chapter Four
Lucas felt so incredibly drained by the time he got back into the cab and the driver rolled it down the street. “Remind me never to piss you off, kid. That’s some trick you got there.”
“Yeah, pretty scary, huh? Wish I knew how I was doing it or what it even is?”
The old man gave him a curious look. “Don’t you know? I’ve never heard of a paranormal not knowing they are one. Usually it’s pretty obvious.”
“Sometimes the fangs come out.” Lucas gave him a smirk.
“Or the wolf.”
“Wolves?” Really? Holy crap! How many more things could be out there?
“And other creatures.” The old man smiled at him.
“My name is Lucas.”
“Gus. When we get to my house, my wife will tell you what you are.”
“Why not just tell me now?”
“She’s just like you. And can explain quickly. You’ll need to listen carefully to what she says and then get on your way. You can’t stay in the city now that we know they're close. I have a car that hasn’t been driven in a while. The vampires that work for the police department won’t be able to trace it.”
“Why can’t they trace it?”
“Because it’s registered to a dead man. Now focus, Lucas,” Gus said sternly, as if Lucas actually could think about anything but the fact that it felt as if someone was punking him. “Cassie will talk to you. Tell you some things that might not make sense right away. Just do whatever it is she tells you and then get the hell away from this city. You already made me a target. We’re going to have to put up some wards if we’re gonna keep them bastards out. Hell, might even have to move.”
Lucas reached up and patted his shoulder. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”
Gus shrugged. “Wrong place, wrong time.”
“Thanks for helping me.”
He didn’t normally initialize touching someone, but he thought he’d make an exception this one time, considering the old man was risking his life. He felt something when his hand connected with Gus, some sort of sickness inside the man. “I think I can fix that for you. When we stop the car. If you want me to.” Either that or he’d kill the guy, but he didn’t think that would happen. The more he thought about Shawn and really focused on his friend the more he was certain he was alive.
“Fix what, son?”
Lucas sat back in the seat and closed his eyes, telling himself it would be for a second. He wouldn’t fall asleep even though he really wanted to. He was so tired. The light totally zapped his energy. “The sickness inside you. I’m pretty sure I brought Shawn back so I shouldbe able to help you too. I think.” This last part Lucas said more to himself than to Gus. He didn’t want to hurt Gus.
He heard Gus gasp, but otherwise never said a word the rest of the car ride. At some point Lucas knew he fell asleep. He wasn’t sure where he was or even how long he had slept, he just knew that Gus was looking at him as if he’d grown three heads.
